Overfilled engine oil

ScheerSpeed · 07-26-2009, 03:31 PM

I just did an oil change myself and added 8L of the BMW/castrol 10W60 from the dealer.The first day I drove the car around the oil level showed plthat it was perfect at the top, and then the next day I started it up and checked just to see if maybe some oil spilled if I left a screw loose and Tommy surprise it read "engine oil too full" in the idrive. How much Over could it be if I only added 8L? Should I drain some out or should it be ok the way it is?

bobbyd1961 · 07-26-2009, 03:36 PM

there are 2 drain plugs. did you drain both?

ScheerSpeed · 07-26-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

there are 2 drain plugs. did you drain both?

No I didn't know that. Where is the second one? I guess a small amount must have stayed in?

ScheerSpeed · 07-26-2009, 03:38 PM

About how much should I have to drain out?

ScheerSpeed · 07-27-2009, 12:34 PM

... anyone?

JCtx · 07-27-2009, 12:55 PM

The front sump is just 1/2-liter, so hopefully that's the one you forgot. I guess you learned the hard way to do research before doing maintenance on a complex car like the M3.
If you forgot to drain the front sump, you shouldn't be overfilled with 8L. Do a search for the proper way to check oil level and go from there; I wrote a detailed post not long ago. If necessary, you can drain from the front sump, as it's only 1/2L, but don't do anything until you check oil level properly. Good luck.

GregW / Oregon · 07-27-2009, 01:03 PM

As elp_jc says, the front pan is the smaller one, the rear is the main.

Check posts #1 & 15 here, as well, for drain plugs:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ght=oil+change

ScheerSpeed · 07-27-2009, 08:24 PM

yea i got the rear one, but forgot the front. i measured how much oil came out of the engine and it was about 7.5L, and i added 8L, so im not going to bother, because .5L isn't really all that much. thanks for the help!

GregW / Oregon · 07-27-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

yea i got the rear one, but forgot the front. i measured how much oil came out of the engine and it was about 7.5L, and i added 8L, so im not going to bother, because .5L isn't really all that much. thanks for the help!

I assume you changed the filter, too? There's about 0.1L in the bottom of the filter housing, too.

ScheerSpeed · 07-28-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I assume you changed the filter, too? There's about 0.1L in the bottom of the filter housing, too.

yea... and probably .1L soaked up in the filter...

andrew270681 · 11-09-2010, 12:27 PM

I made the Same Mistake.
I drained the rear sump only and also replaced oil filter. I added 8.5l (or a little under) and checked my oil level after a drive and its at the max level. I hope i dont get a message saying oil level too high or i will be kicking myself more than what i already am!
The only thing that made me check is because i had a spare sump washer!

Lesson learnt to read before assuming!

07-26-2009, 03:31 PM	#1
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	Overfilled engine oil I just did an oil change myself and added 8L of the BMW/castrol 10W60 from the dealer.The first day I drove the car around the oil level showed plthat it was perfect at the top, and then the next day I started it up and checked just to see if maybe some oil spilled if I left a screw loose and Tommy surprise it read "engine oil too full" in the idrive. How much Over could it be if I only added 8L? Should I drain some out or should it be ok the way it is?
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07-26-2009, 03:36 PM	#2
bobbyd1961 Banned 43 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 sedan LeMans Blue Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	there are 2 drain plugs. did you drain both?
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07-26-2009, 03:38 PM	#4
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	About how much should I have to drain out?
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07-27-2009, 12:34 PM	#5
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	... anyone?
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07-27-2009, 12:55 PM	#6
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	The front sump is just 1/2-liter, so hopefully that's the one you forgot. I guess you learned the hard way to do research before doing maintenance on a complex car like the M3. If you forgot to drain the front sump, you shouldn't be overfilled with 8L. Do a search for the proper way to check oil level and go from there; I wrote a detailed post not long ago. If necessary, you can drain from the front sump, as it's only 1/2L, but don't do anything until you check oil level properly. Good luck.
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07-27-2009, 08:24 PM	#8
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	yea i got the rear one, but forgot the front. i measured how much oil came out of the engine and it was about 7.5L, and i added 8L, so im not going to bother, because .5L isn't really all that much. thanks for the help!
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11-09-2010, 12:27 PM	#11
andrew270681 Private First Class 9 Rep 164 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (2)	I made the Same Mistake. I drained the rear sump only and also replaced oil filter. I added 8.5l (or a little under) and checked my oil level after a drive and its at the max level. I hope i dont get a message saying oil level too high or i will be kicking myself more than what i already am! The only thing that made me check is because i had a spare sump washer! Lesson learnt to read before assuming!
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